Rolls-Royce and Turkish Technic have announced plans to open a new state-of-the-art maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Istanbul Airport (IST).
A special ceremony attended by Turkish Technic Chairman Ahmet Bolat and Rolls-Royce President of Civil Aerospace Rob Watson was held to sign the agreement.
Under plans announced on May 7, 2025, a new expanded facility will be created to service Trent XWB-97, Trent XWB-84, and Trent 7000 engines, with the center expected to be operational by the end of 2027. The engine types are used to power Airbus A350 and Airbus A330neo aircraft.
Rolls-Royce and Turkish Technic are targeting 200 engine overhauls at the facility per year with plans to create 1,000 jobs to ensure the smooth running of operations.
The facility will provide services to third party Rolls-Royce TotalCare customers, as well as the Turkish Airlines fleet which incorporates Airbus A350s.
“We’re significantly increasing our global MRO capacity by 2030, and today’s announcement marks an important milestone on that journey, as we add Turkish Technic to our global network of capable, flexible and resilient MRO providers to support our TotalCare customers around the world,” said Watson.
He added: “In April 2024, we reaffirmed our commitment to Türkiye, announcing our intention to explore the implementation of a number of industrial initiatives. Today’s agreement is a demonstration of that commitment. We are delighted to welcome Turkish Technic into our expanding network of Trent engine maintenance centers.”
In late 2023, Turkish Airlines placed a historic order for Airbus A350 aircraft, making the airline the world’s largest operator of the Trent XWB engine.
It included an order for 120 Trent XWB-84 engines and 40 Trent XWB-97 engines, excluding options and spares.
Turkish Technic said that the new facility is expected to contribute an average of $700 million in annual exports to Turkey’s economy over the course of the agreement.
“Set to be one of the largest in Europe, this facility will not only strengthen our position as an industry leader but also will significantly contribute to the export targets of Türkiye. With our new facility expansion, we will be equipped to perform comprehensive maintenance services across a wide range of Trent engine models, allowing us to meet the evolving needs of the industry,” said Bolat.
